High-flying WiFi slower in homes, interfering on airplanes

WiFi as a key element in a TV Everywhere scenario, where ubiquitous access to the free wireless spectrum drives video and other content inside and outside the home, may not be all the cable industry hopes it could be.

Broadband research firm Epitiro issued a study that said WiFi speeds are, on average, 30 percent slower than fixed connections and that higher latency losses could "well hurt usage of online gaming, Internet telephony and video streaming." The report blamed the problems on "physical barriers and interference from devices like microwaves."

Speaking of interference, high hopes for WiFi in the sky are crashing with news that tests of new cabin WiFi products on airplanes have resulted in interference for cockpit displays and "Boeing has deferred the activation of wireless systems that interface with passenger devices."

The good news is less people are traveling. The bad news is many are sitting at home trying to interface over WiFi connections.

For more:
- see this story
- and this story

Related articles:
Comcast getting aggressive with WiFi in the Northeast
Cable comes up a winner even while losing, thanks to broadband